Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes are one of the easiest ways to get fluffy baked potatoes on the table without turning on the oven. The potatoes cook slowly until the centers are soft and steamy, while a little olive oil and salt give the skins plenty of flavor.

I especially like this method when the oven is already busy with dinner or when I don’t want to heat up the kitchen. Get the potatoes into the slow cooker earlier in the day, and there’s very little to think about later.

They’re useful beyond being a side dish, too. Set out cheese, sour cream, butter, and other toppings and turn them into a simple baked potato bar for an easy family dinner.

The preparation takes only a few minutes. Choosing potatoes that are fairly similar in size is probably the most important part, since they’ll cook more evenly.

Getting Fluffy Potatoes In The Slow Cooker

Russet potatoes are my first choice here. Their higher starch content gives you that dry, fluffy interior that works so well with butter and toppings.

Give the potatoes a good scrub and dry them before adding the oil. Leaving excess water on the skins makes it harder for the oil and salt to stick.

You also don’t need to add water to the crock pot. The enclosed slow cooker traps enough moisture to cook the potatoes until tender.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list couldn’t be much simpler. You’ll need:

• Russet potatoes
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt

How To Make Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

Step 1: Scrub the potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt from the skins. Dry them well with a clean kitchen towel.

Step 2: Pierce each potato several times with a fork. This allows steam to escape as the potatoes cook.

Step 3: Rub a thin coating of olive oil over each potato, then sprinkle the skins evenly with kosher salt.

Step 4: Arrange the potatoes in the crock pot. Try to use potatoes of similar size and avoid packing the slow cooker too tightly.

Step 5: Cover and cook on LOW for about 7–8 hours or on HIGH for about 4–5 hours. The exact timing depends on the size of the potatoes and your slow cooker.

Step 6: Check the potatoes by inserting a fork or thin knife into the thickest part. It should slide into the center easily with very little resistance.

Step 7: Carefully remove the hot potatoes. Cut a slit down the center of each one, gently squeeze the ends to open it, and fluff the inside with a fork before adding your favorite toppings.

Common Questions About Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

Do I Need To Wrap The Potatoes In Foil?

No. You can place the potatoes directly in the slow cooker. Cooking them without foil also means less prep and waste.

Do I Add Water To The Crock Pot?

No water is necessary. The potatoes contain moisture of their own, and the covered slow cooker creates a humid cooking environment.

What Potatoes Are Best For Baking?

Russet potatoes are ideal because they develop a light, fluffy center. Yukon Gold potatoes can be slow cooked too, but their texture will be creamier and less fluffy.

Why Are My Potatoes Still Hard?

They probably need more time. Larger potatoes can take considerably longer than smaller ones, especially when the slow cooker is very full.

Can I Cook The Potatoes Ahead?

Yes. Cook them until tender, cool them promptly, and refrigerate them. Reheat when you’re ready to serve.

How Many Potatoes Can I Put In A Slow Cooker?

That depends on the size of your crock pot and potatoes. Don’t pack them so tightly that the lid can’t close properly. A roomy arrangement also helps them cook more evenly.

Crock Pot Baked Potato Variations

Garlic Salt Potatoes

Replace the plain salt with garlic salt for a little extra flavor on the skins.

Seasoned Potato Skins

Add a light sprinkle of onion powder or your favorite all-purpose seasoning after coating the potatoes with oil.

Loaded Baked Potatoes

Fill the cooked potatoes with butter, sour cream, shredded cheddar, and sliced green onions for a hearty loaded version.

Chili-Topped Potatoes

Spoon warm beef or bean chili over the fluffy centers and finish with shredded cheddar. This easily turns the potatoes from a side into dinner.

Broccoli And Cheese Potatoes

Top with steamed broccoli and warm cheese sauce for another simple meatless meal.

Storing Leftover Baked Potatoes

Let leftover potatoes cool promptly and refrigerate them in an airtight container within two hours. They’ll keep for about 3–4 days.

Reheat them in the oven, air fryer, or microwave until hot throughout. If you’ve already added sour cream or other cold toppings, remove what you can before reheating and add fresh toppings afterward.

What To Serve With Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes go with just about any simple dinner, but I especially like them alongside roast chicken, steak, meatloaf, or slow-cooked beef. Add green beans, broccoli, roasted carrots, or a crisp salad and you’ve got an easy complete meal. You can also make the potatoes the main event by setting out bowls of shredded cheese, sour cream, butter, chili, broccoli, and green onions and letting everyone build their own. That’s particularly handy when you’re feeding people who all seem to want something different.

Try to buy potatoes that are close to the same size rather than mixing tiny ones with very large ones. It makes it much easier to have all of them tender at the same time.

And don’t judge them strictly by the clock. Once a fork slides easily into the center, your Crock Pot Baked Potatoes are ready to split open, fluff, and load up while they’re still piping hot.

This Crock Pot Baked Potatoes recipe makes tender, fluffy potatoes with perfectly seasoned skins—perfect for easy side dishes, weeknight dinners, meal prep, and simple slow cooker recipes.

Ingredients

• 6 medium russet potatoes
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Prep the potatoes. Scrub the potatoes well under running water, then dry them completely. Pierce each potato several times with a fork.

Season. Rub each potato lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle evenly with salt and garlic powder.

Add to the slow cooker. Arrange the potatoes in a 6-quart crock pot in a single layer when possible. They can overlap slightly if needed.

Cook. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the potatoes are tender all the way through when pierced with a fork.

Serve. Carefully remove the potatoes, split them lengthwise, fluff the centers with a fork, and add your favorite toppings.

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